Tag: Iowa

If you’re an avid reader, then I’m sure you’ve come across hundreds (if not thousands) of unique books. But have you ever come across a book no bigger than three inches? If not, then you’re in for a delightful surprise.

You can officially cross reading a miniature book off your bookworm-bucket list by visiting The University of Iowa which houses a collection of 4,000 tiny books. The collection was donated in 1996 by Charlotte M. Smith. Smith was an avid reader and passionate book collector who began collecting miniature books after realizing that full-size books were taking over her bookshelves. While some readers may simply stop collecting books, Smith had another idea: tiny books.

“I came to realize that there were infinite aspects of miniature books to be explored, Smith wrote in “The Joys of Miniature Books”. “I wondered why I had not paid attention to them before.”

Smith’s collection, now residing in The University of Iowa, contains a variety of titles, the majority of which are less than three inches tall. If that isn’t impressive enough, some volumes are much tinier including the first chapter of Genesis which measures at four millimeters.

First chapter of Genesis| Image Via The University of Iowa

The collection houses volumes ranging from 17th century to present-day works. Subjects range from Shakespearan poetry to fairy tales to early religious bibles, called “thumb bibles.”

These condensed bibles, measuring less than three inches, were became popularized in the eighteenth and nineteeth centuries and typically featured intricate illustrations of religious motif. One of the oldest books in the collection traces back to 1488 and concerns Catholic spiritual life. Books such as these were often exchanged as gifts, as they were convenient and could easily fit in ones pocket.

Up! Horse! An Original Fairy Tale by Clara de Chatelaine, 1850 | Image Courtesy of The University of Iowa

The production of tiny books eventually took a new course, however, when printing companies, noticeably Toppan Printing of Japan, began to publish tiny books with one thing in mind: Guinness World Records.

Toppan Printing Co. sold The First Chapter of Genesis as part of a two-book set at the World’s Fair in New york in 1965. According to The Atlantic, at the time, the 4 millimeter book was marketed as the world’s smallest book.

Victoria, the Good Queen and Empress by Eleanor Bulley, 1901 |Image Via The University of Iowa

While volumes ranging on the lower end of tiny books may be a wee bit hard to read, they still hold something special for readers.

Much controversy has arisen in Orange County, Iowa where more than 300 people have signed a petition to ban books with LGBTQ material in the Orange City Public Library. The issue arose when a complaint was made regarding the library stocking a book which featured such themes. However, this complaint was quickly rescinded when it began creating a stir within the community.

Image Via National Coalition Against Censorship

However, despite the complaint’s withdrawal, shortly thereafter fliers were sent throughout the town. The fliers read along the lines of, “…homosexual/transgender promoting materials…some aimed at pre-K kids, using your tax dollars!” They expressed a call to arms to attend the upcoming library board meeting to fight the library’s decision to showcase such books. The most prominent fighters in this rally are those of the Grace Reformed Presbyterian Church who believe that the books are “pushing an agenda” that goes against the Christian faith.

In a world where censorship of ideas and facts is constantly being fought, to many, the last place something like this should occur is in the library. The library is a place to share and learn new information, not ban it. In spite of the different walks of life all humans may or may not come from, we must learn to walk side by side and discover new things about each other. Banning books that go against the grain of our own individual beliefs sounds like the makings of a good dystopian novel though, that’s for sure!

Library director Amanda Vasquez said “As a public library, we try to serve the needs of a diverse community.”

There are 168 books that feature LBGTQ content in the library’s total of 64,000 books. Whether or not to censor or section off these materials will be decided next month.

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